Feeling overwhelmed by all there is to see and do at an NSTA conference on science education? Join us for an interactive exploration through the conference app and NSTA’s social media. By the end of the session, you will know just how to get the most from your conference experience in addition to bu

As part of the SCAFFOLD project, district science coordinators develop and implement strategic plans. In this session, coordinators will share their experience with this process and faculty will share ideas for supporting the development of your own strategic plan.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn about strategic planning and gain support for developing their own plan.

SPEAKERS:
Brooke Whitworth (Clemson University: Clemson, SC), Julie Luft (University of Georgia: Athens, GA)

In this session we will look at how engaging students in the practice of Developing and Using Models over the course of a unit can be used for different purposes. Participants will experience building a consensus model and reflect on how building a class consensus model is an important step in ensuring that all members of the learning community can contribute to the knowledge building and that ALL students have access to the ideas the class agrees moves the understanding forward. We will also highlight how models are a powerful way to uncover new questions students may have, requiring students to dig for a deeper understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
Developing and using scientific models allows all students to be integral members of the knowledge-building community.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Hereau (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

We will share how we implemented current educational research to create a learning environment that supports learners of all abilities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand the educational research supporting a shift away from traditional grading and describe methods of implementation that address issues of equity, differentiation, peer interactions, and more.

SPEAKERS:
David Frangiosa (Pascack Valley Regional High School District: Montvale, NJ)

This session is intended for secondary science teachers with multilingual learners (MLLs). MLLs bring important science ideas that contribute to learning. This session will emphasize meaningful language instruction for all students and provide ideas for how to support emergent multilingual students.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this session, participants will engage with meaningful examples of teaching techniques to support higher-level thinking for all students, especially multilingual learners. These examples can be implemented in any secondary science classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Monica Davies Davies (AVID curriculum Developer: , WA), Angela DiLoreto (Bellevue School District: Bellevue, WA)

Did you know the ocean is a major influence on weather and climate? Apply Ocean Literacy - an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean - in your learning environment! Explore the Ocean Literacy Framework, including alignment of ocean science concepts with NGSS.

TAKEAWAYS:
You can't be science literate without being ocean literate. While terrestrial examples dominate NGSS, Ocean Literacy is essential to understanding many DCIs, but the connection may not be obvious. Other DCIs do not mention the ocean but cannot be fully understood without the ocean component.

SPEAKERS:
David Christopher (Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service: Lewes, DE)

Does your PLC need some TLC? Come learn new strategies and approaches to enhance your professional learning community (PLC). In this workshop, participants will reflect on their previous PLC experiences, learn about the components of a community of practice (CoP), and walk away with specific strategies to revitalize and bring meaning back to their PLCs. “Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly,” (Wenger-Trayner, E. & Wenger-Trayner, B., 2015). Workshop participants will explore how to make their PLC not just another group planning session, but rather a dynamic community where members work towards specific goals for themselves and their students by incorporating elements of a CoP. By the end of this session, participants will have specific strategies they can take home and implement immediately with their PLCs.

TAKEAWAYS:
In this workshop, participants will reflect on their previous PLC experiences, learn about the components of a Community of Practice (CoP), and walk away with specific strategies to revitalize and bring meaning back to their PLCs.

SPEAKERS:
Meredith Schwendemann (Clemson University), Ashley Hunter (Clemson University: Clemson, SC), Brooke Whitworth (Clemson University: Clemson, SC), Jennifer Bateman (Clemson University)

Calling all diverse and experienced educators that impact students and their community. Learn how to win up to $10K with Shell sponsored teacher awards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Collaborate with past winners and judges to learn how to start your winning application for the Shell Teaching Awards. We'll walk through the application step by step and you'll be able to begin your application or nomination form live.

SPEAKERS:
Martha McLeod (Aransas County ISD: Rockport, TX), Amanda Upton (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

We have developed a flexible, equitable assessment strategy that can be applied to all levels, grades and courses, that keeps students engaged and accountable. Even better, it can be scaled: used by an individual or by an entire district. We call this the Learning Progression Model.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand how learning progressions are used to assess student learning, provide descriptive feedback, set goals, evaluate teaching, and report out achievement.

SPEAKERS:
Elise Naramore (Pascack Hills High School: Montvale, NJ)

How can we provide access to learning to ensure students can succeed in today’s learning experience? We will look at the practice of scaffolding instruction in science and use classroom examples that can be transferred into your classroom. Q&A to follow.

TAKEAWAYS:
The practical use of instructional scaffolds and the supporting strategies to increase access to student learning in science.

SPEAKERS:
Jeffrey Longenberger (Washington County Public Schools: Hagerstown, MD)

COESEE - Join us to learn more about assessment of elementary science learning using elementary learning stories.

TAKEAWAYS:
Creating student learning stories can help support assessment in elementary classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Ewing (The Charles A. Dana Center: No City, No State)

Stories from Chemical Insights Research Institute’s “research to impact” process will be shared from their work on a variety of emerging technologies and topics such as 3D printing emissions, an economical approach to improving indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events, and more.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will discuss how “research to impact” is or might be used in their schools and collaborate to create their own research to impact story they can share to engage students in their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Cristi Bell-Huff (Research Manager), Holley Henderson (Chemical Insights Research Institute: Marietta, GA)

Learn about free STEM educational resources including virtual reality, themed resource collections and lesson plans to increase ocean and climate literacy with your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries offers lessons, videos and activities that can be used in K-12 classrooms to teach students about the ocean and Great Lakes with engaging real life examples of our nation's underwater parks.

SPEAKERS:
Tracy Hajduk (NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: Monterey, CA)

A school's MTSS focus is often on math and literacy skills and scores, leaving some science teachers to wonder, "How does my science classroom fit in MTSS?". In this session, we will explore ways to identify students that need Tier 2 science supports and provide them with the assistance they need.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science teachers can utilize formative assessments, unit planning, and creative engagement strategies to provide their science students with Tier 2 support, (regardless if the school building provides an intervention period) resulting in improved student outcomes.

SPEAKERS:
Adam Moss (Northwest Area Education Agency: Sioux City, IA)

Learn from our experience as a math and a science teacher collaborating together to give our students an interdisciplinary learning opportunity so that you can start your own plan. We will share the logistics from this authentic inquiry-based project and you’ll hear testimonials from our students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be provided with one way to overcome logistical challenges inherent with interdisciplinary collaboration at the secondary level, including differing rosters & schedules. Furthermore, attendees will have the opportunity to start their own plan for their own interdisciplinary project.

SPEAKERS:
Joseph Schneiderwind (Daniel C Oakes high school: Castle Rock, CO), Nadene Klein (Daniel C. Oakes High School: Castle Rock, CO)

Engage your Forensics students with a few of my favorite labs, investigations, and activities! You will leave this session with ready-to-implement resources that you can use right when you get back to your classroom. (DOOR PRIZES)

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to engage their Forensics students with some of my favorite labs, activities, and classroom investigations.

SPEAKERS:
Dana Niblett (Teacher)

Reconsider how complex mathematical thinking should be employed to support all students in science. An open-source high school curriculum is used to illustrate how specific elements of SEP 4 and 5 are leveraged in the service of figuring out explanations of phenomena and designing solutions.

TAKEAWAYS:
Leveraging data analysis and mathematical thinking in context to explain phenomena and design solutions, rather than front-loading skills, helps students engage with these practices as sensemaking tools, deepening student understanding of the science and fluency in employing math in novel ways.

SPEAKERS:
Jamie Noll (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Nicole Vick (Northwestern University), Jim Ryan (OpenSciEd: New York, NY), Michael Novak (Northwestern University: Evanston, IL)

In the session, I will present information about how to make your own videos using PowerPoint, Canvas Studio, or EdPuzzle. In addition, I will discuss how you can use either embedded quiz questions or open-note quizzes in class to assess students' completion of the outside of class learning prior to participating in the in-class extension activities. I will show some of the videos that I have made and share how making this shift has improved my students' scores on the End of Course tests and AP Biology exam. I will also share an open-source paper from Harvard that shows how active learning improves student performance even though students express a preference for passive learning (lecture).

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to make their own videos or use existing videos to present the basic content to their students, leaving class time for the hands-on and group activities that achieve deeper understanding of the content.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Dyer (Science Teacher: Canton, GA)

You just graded a quiz or test and you need to analyze and share that information with stakeholders. Come learn how you can use mail merge to narrow the gap by providing personalized feedback with students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn the features available with mail merge and obtain a template excel file for data analysis to be used for a mail merge in their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Tiffany Shoham Jones (Science Instructor: Conyers, GA)

The path to science leadership is not always a clear and direct route. Join us as we share our path to science leadership and the numerous options for supporting teachers and leaders in promoting high-quality science instruction.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. An understanding of the science leader’s role in putting the pieces of the NRC Framework together for a coherent science program; 2. Ways to strategically plan and prioritize professional learning based on system and individual teacher needs; and 3. Developing a strategic and personal plan to adv

SPEAKERS:
Patricia Morgan (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Tonya Woolfolk (Houston County Schools: Perry, GA)

Learn how to create and present a cross curricular, cross grade level immersion experience for all ages. Briefly discussing the research that highlights the learning benefits of themeatic units, we will follow a school as they spent a "Semester in Space" that culminated in a 10 minute ISS contact.

TAKEAWAYS:
School-wide units create a culture of learning that spans all disciplines and grade levels as students are able to experience content from variousviewpoints. Learn how to implement a an overarcing theme in any school.

SPEAKERS:
Christiana Deeter (Canterbury School: Fort Myers, FL)

There is a big push for SEL in the classroom for the benefit of students...but how can this be leveraged for teachers? I'll share several SEL strategies for the science teacher to implement for themselves to prevent burnout.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will have a variety of SEL strategies that they can choose from and use immediately in their daily routines to help themselves avoid teacher burnout.

SPEAKERS:
Nadene Klein (Daniel C. Oakes High School: Castle Rock, CO)

Let your students take the lead in classroom CSI. Learn the teacher foundation and guideline to help your students use their creativity to create a real-sized crime scene. Then they will apply forensic techniques learned throughout the year to solve the case.

TAKEAWAYS:
Create an environment for student-created faux crime scenes and then student driven investigations to solve the crime. This end of the year activity incorporates multiple forensic content applied to support conclusions that solve the case.

SPEAKERS:
Tobie Hendricks (Walton HS: Marietta, GA)

In this multidisciplinary 5E lesson plan, students will dive deep into many aspects of aquatic pollution through a wide variety of lab experiences and project based learning activities. This 5E unit plan is aligned to AP Environmental Science and NGSS standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
A full 5E multidisciplinary lesson plan about aquatic pollution that can be incorporated in full or in parts within the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Feifei Liu (Ph.D. candidate: Atlanta, GA), Laura Rogers (Teacher)

Big Lessons from a Little Worm focuses on how to introduce the model organism, c.elegans into the classroom. Using c.elegans in the classroom has the potential to introduce inquiry-based labs, student-led research and much more. This presentation will highlight a chemosensation lab.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to run a chemotaxis assay, learn about GPCR signaling, and neurobiology and will learn how to introduce this lab into the classroom. Participants will learn the basics in working and maintaining worm stocks in their lab

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Monahan (North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics: Durham, NC)

Cognitive science has identified flexible and often counterintuitive cognitive strategies that boost student learning. Teachers will learn how to implement these techniques within their classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to apply multiple practical, flexible, and research-based cognitive strategies, including retrieving information from memory, distributing practice across time, scaffolding, and mixing together different examples, within their own classrooms to improve student learning.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Tullis (The University of Arizona: Tucson, AZ)

In 2020, educators transitioned to remote and blended learning, changing their instructional strategies overnight. In this session we will use our new toolkit and the SAMR model to revive and reinvent STEM lesson plans for our modern classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will walk away with research-backed strategies to revive their old lesson plans, access to lesson plans ready to use in the classroom on Monday morning, and a new perspective for how to use technology to strengthen instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Candice Chambers (North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics: Durham, NC), Morgan Pittman (North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics: Durham, NC)

Queer people have been and are still marginalized in science and the world. Come learn simple tricks and strategies to affirm and represent LGBTQIA+ students in your classes. Teachers and teacher leaders of all grade ranges are welcome, but especially middle and high school educators.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to affirm and represent queer identities so students feel safe, supported, and inspired to engage in science. Attendees will learn simple yet impactful methods to create classrooms that acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of their students.

SPEAKERS:
Jamie Kubiak (The Bronx High School of Science: Bronx, NY)

The Light Up! Lab will have participants building their own series and parallel circuits with low-cost items, including aluminum foil, paper clips, 9-volt battery, and Christmas lights. In the Transfor-Mation of Energy Lab Stations, participants will be provided with ways for students to investigate the transfer of energy through conduction, convection, and radiation. Using metal ball bearings, paper, and aluminum foil, they will create shock waves in the Shock ‘Em Lab. The relationship between magnetism and the movement of electrical charge will be explored through the experience with the Tinsel demo, and the Magic Soda Can demo. Soda cans, and balloons will help explain the abstract idea of the movement of an electrical charge and the build of of static electicity will make an electric field that will make a piece of tinsil float above a pie tin. We will also have on hand a Van de Graaf generator to explore electric fields and fun, engaging ways invite student interest.

TAKEAWAYS:
We will teach you have to do fun and engaging labs and demonstrations on a shoestring budget. All lab and demonstration ideas will cover topics and themes in both NGSS and GSE Physical Science under the theme of electric currents and electric fields.

SPEAKERS:
Melissa Rowe (Teacher: Summerville, GA), Christopher Tallent (Chattooga High School: Summerville, GA)

Teaching literacies in your secondary classroom is not typically on top of your to-do list, but they are equally important, so we will share how we build various literacies into our lab reports. Strategies will be backed by cognitive and science education research and rubrics will be provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be able to develop, implement, and evaluate a lab report utilizing various literacies and a deeper understanding of the Nature of Science.

SPEAKERS:
Althea Roy (Clemson University: Clemson, SC), Tiffany Jones (South Cobb High School: Austell, GA)

Learn about 10 Disciplinary Literacy Essentials from science leaders in Michigan. We will share successes and challenges of working with the disciplinary literacy essentials in science classrooms.

TAKEAWAYS:
NGSS-aligned science learning can leverage the disciplinary literacy essentials.

SPEAKERS:
Wendi Vogel (Kent Intermediate School District: Grand Rapids, MI), Mary Starr (Michigan Mathematics and Science Leadership Network)

This is session #4 in the PL Committee CCCs Pathway and is designed to support K-12. The crosscutting concepts provide a consistent language for student communication. When teachers’ assessment prompts are designed with the crosscutting concepts, the focus of student thinking can be directed to different aspects of the phenomenon or, the system being investigated. Patterns may be used as evidence to support explanations or arguments for the causes of a phenomenon. Participants will explore the progression of Crosscutting Concepts throughout a student’s K-12 career. They will consider phenomenon and discuss several appropriate prompts that bring different CCCs to the forefront (patterns, scale, systems). Participants will engage with the process of developing assessment prompts which use the Crosscutting Concepts to initiate student sensemaking responses.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participant will leave with resources that guide their development and use of Crosscutting Concepts to focus student sensemaking on assessments. These can be integrated with assessments prompts which are aligned to Science and Engineering Practices and Disciplinary Core Ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Leah Litz (Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium: No City, No State), Christopher Soldat (Grant Wood Area Education Agency: Cedar Rapids, IA)

The Earth system can be used for phenomena-based instruction in any discipline. Learn how NASA visualization tools can be used to explore our Earth system and then put your creative hat on to work with colleagues and discover ways to engage learners with Earth system science in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Online data acquisition and visualization tools from NASA are explored. A work session is facilitated for teachers of biological and physical sciences to consider how Earth system datasets may be leveraged to support instruction of disciplinary core ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Desiray Wilson (Science Systems and Applications, Inc.: Hampton, VA), Natalie Macke (Pascack Hills High School: Montvale, NJ)

Gradebooks can be a powerful tool for communicating student learning with students & families. Using open-source lessons, I will share a gradebook build design I have used to offer a fairer, comprehensive record of student learning with three-dimensional standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gradebooks are not a "necessary evil" for 3D learning. You will see a model gradebook and complete an example analysis of student work and practice with a gradesheet.

SPEAKERS:
Kerri Wingert (Good Question Research: Boulder, CO)

Marginalized groups have been historically overlooked in the typical classroom. Normalizing the classroom includes a shift in educator mindset, language, and behavior. What does this look like in a science classroom, often led by non-marginalized teachers?

TAKEAWAYS:
Culturally responsive tools to implement in your classroom right away

SPEAKERS:
Bridget Sparks (Princeton City Schools: No City, No State), Rashanna Freeman (Princeton High School: Cincinnati, OH), Melinda Cottrell (Princeton High School: Cincinnati, OH)

In this presentation you'll learn one way to meet the challenge of providing meaningful, growth-focused feedback on student lab work, while also conserving teacher time and energy. It can be used for courses from AP to on-level courses, and may streamline department-level alignment as well.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will come away with reusable tools for implementing the method I have developed, as well as rationale, examples, and ideas for applying this approach to any set of instructional standards.

SPEAKERS:
Erin Miller (Visitation School: Mendota Heights, MN)

This session focuses on how to build student self-image as scientists, rather than learners of science, particularly in the wake of years of online or hybrid learning with limited lab experience. Both lessons learned from presenter experience and ideas to improve practice in participants’ classroo

TAKEAWAYS:
Student may see themselves as strong students, but not see themselves as scientists. More lab work alone is not enough to combat this. Students need multiple opportunities for investigative leadership and autonomy in decision-making. This session presents several ways of doing this effectively.

SPEAKERS:
Jessica Dobrin (Science Teacher: Chattanooga, TN)

Global Education prepares students for our changing, challenging, and increasingly-interconnected world. This session provides an overview of Global Ed, then explores how STEM teachers can incorporate Global Ed into their practice by thoughtfully leveraging educational technology.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with a foundational understanding of global education, ideas for how global ed can be integrated into their already existing lessons, knowledge of edtech tools that are ready to support global ed in their classrooms, and access to resources to learn more.

SPEAKERS:
Greg Schwanbeck (Westwood High School / Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Bring the analysis and fiber to life through a classroom court case. As students learn the forensic significance of hair and fiber evidence, they must defend their conclusions with evidence through court

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will provide materials and guidelines for bringing forensic analysis of hair and fiber to a classroom court case. Students apply their microscopic analysis to either prosecuting or defending their client. Students love it.

SPEAKERS:
Tobie Hendricks (Walton HS: Marietta, GA)

This session will go over formative assessment techniques that will improve student participation and reflection. A year long study performed on this homework technique indicated 99% student homework completion and an over 80% reattempt rate on assignments.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will leave with the knowledge of how to create formative assessments to increase participation and reflection in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
James Evans (Professor of Chemistry)

An online network learning environment (ONLE) is one built and run by instructors and educators to create a network for students and their PLE's (personal learning environments). ONLE strategies allow for collaboration and enhanced learning communities. Strategies such as creating a participatory web environment, widget and social-network linkages, and use of IvfoViz will be explored. This style of learning supports both constructivist and connectivist learning theories. Explore a model lesson using these strategies. Be ready to walk away with ways to include these strategies in your own lessons whether you have in-person or online students.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to infuse ONLE strategies in your lessons which support various learning needs and enhance collaboration. These strategies support in-class and online learners. Discover how they can support your students.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Williams-Clermont (Science Teacher), Nikki Gutierrez (Science Teacher: No City, No State)

As we support students to make connections between science and their lives, we help make the science more clearly relevant and authentic to them. Increasing the relevance of science for students can also mean that there is an increase of experiences, concerns, and perspectives that get shared in the classroom. For many of us, these types of discussions in our classrooms may be new leaving us feeling unprepared to handle them. In this session, we will be sharing strategies for managing potentially difficult conversations in the classroom. We have consulted with educators outside of science – such as social studies educators – who have experience with managing difficult conversations and asked them about strategies they use when a topic might elicit conflicting views. We will also draw on relevant literature. To best consume this variety of strategies, we will have participants jigsaw the strategies and share out overviews and examples of how and when the strategies could be supportive.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a set of strategies they can implement to manage difficult discussions. These strategies have largely been gathered from educators outside of science but are used in science classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Molly Ewing (The Charles A. Dana Center: No City, No State)

The intent of the National Quantum Initiative is to increase awareness of quantum in grades K-12. The Quantum for All project has focused on the challenges of this initiative by working with high school STEM teachers and students. We will discuss the challenges, successes, and resources available

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about QISE national standards and resources available for their classroom

SPEAKERS:
Karen Matsler (University of Texas Arlington: No City, No State)

Using the marine science resources created by teachers for teachers on Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) EARTH website. Teachers learn how to navigate the lesson plans available on the website, how to become an EARTH teacher and how to “adopt a float” to collect data from the ocean.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain authentic marine science data and lesson plans to use in your classroom!

SPEAKERS:
Megan McCall (Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies: No City, No State)

Spend invaluable time with current Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, Candyce Curry, exploring FREE RESOURCES from the U.S. Geological Survey website. This workshop will give teachers insight on finding & using, with minimal preparation, datasets from multiple sources within the website.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be presented with methods & strategies to use readily available data from the US Geological Survey to incorporate & improve their data literacy practices. This is an introduction to content specific data, resources, and suggested methods to modify/accommodate for differentiation.

SPEAKERS:
Candyce Curry (US Geological Survey: No City, No State)

STEM careers are for ALL students! Learn how to bridge the gap between STEM careers and classroom spaces by exploring proven strategies for hosting STEM professionals in your high school classrooms! Walk away with a complete engagement guide written for high school teachers, by high school teachers!

TAKEAWAYS:
Through the lens of equity and inclusion, participants will explore tips for sustained classroom-based STEM career exposure success (both in-person & virtual), including: selecting and preparing speakers, planning an engaging classroom visit, and maintaining relationships with STEM professionals.

SPEAKERS:
Tehmina Khan (Science Department Chair: Stratford, CT), Michelle Pearson (Adams 12 Five Star Schools), Kristen Record (Bunnell High School - National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY): No City, No State)

In this session, the teachers will start out by receiving a detailed explanation of what makes an effective infographic for the classroom. We will then work through several examples of high-quality infographics and how they can be used in the classroom. When the session is over the teacher should leave with multiple lesson ideas and a better understanding of infographics in the classroom and how their addition to the classroom can increase student understanding and engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
The teacher will leave with a better understanding of infographics and how to use them as a tool within the classroom curriculum.

SPEAKERS:
Rob Lamb (Pattonville High School: Maryland Heights, MO)

Find out how to modify your current instruction to better communicate the true nature and process of science using tools from the Understanding Science website. Help students recognize science as a dynamic, exciting, creative, and intensely human endeavor!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to use two resources from the Understanding Science project: an interactive journaling tool to document the process of science and stories that make the nature and process of science explicit, both of which address NGSS SEPs and reflect NSTA’s 2020 position statement.

SPEAKERS:
Betsy Barent (Lincoln Public Schools: No City, No State), Anastasia Thanukos (University of California Museum of Paleontology: Berkeley, CA)

This session will highlight some of the practices that can be used to encourage student engagement, authentic work, and efficacy in the virtual environment. Through years of experience in a traditional face-to-face environment, a blended/hybrid online environment, and a fully virtual environment, t

TAKEAWAYS:
A major takeaway of this session will be strategies and ideas that teachers can immediately implement in their classroom to engage their online learners and gauge their mastery of the classroom standards rather than students’ internet savvy.

SPEAKERS:
Bethany Lambert (Online Content Developer & Science Teacher: No City, No State)

Through the reflective process students have the opportunity to grow as learners. Using this contemplative tool, students develop a deeper understanding of their own learning process and how to grow as a result of the reflection.

TAKEAWAYS:
Educators will receive a tool to support student growth as learners and contemplate applicability to their own classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Tara Bonebrake (The Summit Preparatory School: Springfield, MO)

This presentation will showcase a one-trimester class for high school upperclassmen based on the book Napoleon’s Buttons by Jay Burreson and Penny Le Couteur. It will introduce a chemistry-based set of labs, explore literacy connections, and participants will partake in a version of a hands-on lab.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will get an overview of our class structure and activities and will participate in a hands-on lab that applies chemistry to history. In the session, we will emphasize cross-disciplinary connections in teaching chemistry, and teachers will have practical examples for their classrooms.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Ager (Chemistry Teacher)

Join us on an exploration to see how teachers used citizen science web camera projects and ArcGIS Storymaps to engage their students in the question: How is Earth’s water like a community well? Lesson materials, resources, and assessments will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to engage their students in citizen science research and explore access to Earth’s water resources through ArGIS Storymaps.

SPEAKERS:
Heather Scott (Georgia Southern University: Statesboro, GA), Kelly Moore (Berrien High School: Nashville, GA), Miranda Simmons (Mary Persons High School: Forsyth, GA), Natalie Sumner (Secondary Science Teacher: Forsyth, GA), Lacey Huffling (Georgia Southern University: Statesboro, GA)

Starting with a 3D learning target will ensure you build a lesson that includes a strong connection between Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Cross-Cutting Concepts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will create 3D learning targets and outline lessons that guide students through sense making instruction as they explore scientific content.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Suarez (Northwest ISD: Fort Worth, TX), Courtney Toht (Northwest ISD: Fort Worth, TX)

Do you want your students to see themselves as scientists? Learn about an innovative approach to promoting equity in your classroom by having students research scientists and researchers in your field to discover unsung heroes in science!

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will learn how one science teacher modified a national project and competition to reach students in her marine science classes and help build a set of women and people of color who have contributed to our understanding of the world around us.

SPEAKERS:
Tami Lunsford (Newark Charter School: Newark, DE)

Promoting scientific literacy is a critical 21st century skill for all students to obtain, but it can be challenging to incorporate this into your classroom due to time constraints and content coverage concerns. We use a variety of readily available, free resources to help students develop the skills associated with the NGSS Science Practices 1, 4, 5, 6, & 7. In this session, we will model this process by having educators complete one of the data activities together and discuss possible ways to scaffold and differentiate for students. We will also provide student examples of work from our classrooms in order to show educators what to expect and how we implement them.. Educators will leave with copies of several activities that are ready to implement in their classrooms, including tips for differentiation, student self-assessment and extension activities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Science requires data analysis skills and critical thinking skills. These skills are part of the Next Gen Science Standards (NGSS) as well as state science standards. How do we promote these skills in our students? How do we teach these skills? We will share our strategies!

SPEAKERS:
Emily Boatwright (Wren High School: Piedmont, SC), Mary Dillingham (Wren High School: Piedmont, SC)

Help bridge representation gaps by giving students the opportunity to see themselves and their cultures reflected in STEM. We'll share standards-aligned stories from history to incorporate into your lessons.

TAKEAWAYS:
Gain a better sense of why inclusive representation matters; 2. consider how STEM is a human achievement, built by people of all backgrounds; 3. learn about historic figures that are not taught in traditional settings to get started in creating a more inclusive, diverse STEM picture

SPEAKERS:
Katie Busch (The University of Alabama at Birmingham: Birimingham, AL)

Have you ever thought how do I teach the concept of Redshift and Blueshift of what's going on in the galaxy in an engaging way? Come see a classic game of red light green light used to help students make sense of how these two concepts are both related and help explain the Big Bang Theory.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will have a ready to use game for their classroom that will get students up and moving on a concept that can be difficult for students to visualize.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Mulligan (Bridgeport Public School: Bridgeport, NE)

The Four Corners Science & Computing Club presents workshop based curricula for schools serving primarily Native American students. Raspberry Pi 400 computers and environmental data sensors are used to introduce students to Scientific Computing. Access to online curricula and resources provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to integrate low-cost, easy to build, data collection software and hardware into a STEM curriculum in order to engage students in scientific computing through hands-on problem-based education. Access to online curriculum and links to resources provided.

SPEAKERS:
Jeff Meilander (PhD student: FLAGSTAFF, AZ)

One of the core practices of science is the use of measurements with corresponding uncertainties to make claims about an experiment. Join PhET and Concord Consortium as they showcase their work creating the next generation of interactive simulations with a focus on data fluency and measurement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will get a full demonstration of the upcoming open-source simulations from PhET and CODAP, including all links and digital materials. Presenters will also discuss several ideas for mini-activities to teach students about experimental uncertainty and measurement.

SPEAKERS:
Chad Dorsey (The Concord Consortium: Concord, MA), Matthew Blackman (PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder: Boulder, CO)

This session will explore strategies to ensure students are receiving the opportunities and coaching necessary to develop proficiency in the science and engineering practices.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will understand the roles of guided and independent practice, when to use each, and a system for supporting students as they engage with the science and engineering practices.

SPEAKERS:
David Frangiosa (Pascack Valley Regional High School District: Montvale, NJ)

Engagement in scientific sense-making necessitates rich classroom discourse. We will explore strategies for students to present their ideas, engage in reasoned argumentation, refine their ideas, and reach shared conclusions. Walk away with many ready-to-use resources!

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will examine common teacher-talk patterns, plan goals for conversations, and explore creating a classroom environment in which students openly share ideas, clarify understandings, and draw conclusions to deepen their learning experience.

SPEAKERS:
Lori Fine (Instructional Coach: Managua, TX)

Explore classroom-tested techniques that shift the focus to learning, boost engagement, and de-emphasize grades.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how to build a flexible framework that takes students through a learning progression as they engage with science practices and content.

SPEAKERS:
David Frangiosa (Pascack Valley Regional High School District: Montvale, NJ)

Content academic language proficiency is developed through creating daily opportunities for English Learners to read, write and speak in the classroom. Learn instructional strategies that will allow you to differentiate the various proficiency levels in your classroom so that all students have the

TAKEAWAYS:
1. create and implement opportunities to support language development in the science classroom; 2. understand how to scaffold instructional strategies for English Learners, and 3: understand the Cummins quadrants to plan targeted lessons specific to the needs of their English Learners proficiency.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsey Curiel (Region 4 Education Service Center: Houston, TX)

Come discover how free, NSF-funded simulations and curricula from The Concord Consortium can add all three dimensions of the NGSS to your physics, physical science and chemistry teaching, with a special emphasis on the Science Practices. Bring a device and take away free resources!

TAKEAWAYS:
Strategies in the use of simulations for 3D NGSS-aligned teaching

SPEAKERS:
Chad Dorsey (The Concord Consortium: Concord, MA)

Each year new teachers join districts ready to work with students. Navigating district initiatives, curriculum, parents and student learning can be overwhelming. To support new teachers, Northwest ISD developed New Teacher Academy, a unique, on-going PD to help retain teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn the components of New Teacher Academy and how to implement strategies focused on brand new and new to district teachers in order to support teachers and increase retention.

SPEAKERS:
Courtney Toht (Northwest ISD: Fort Worth, TX), Kelly Suarez (Northwest ISD: Fort Worth, TX)

Creating connected learning pathways for youth starts with connecting and supporting their educators. Learn about essential elements of building learning ecosystems and stories of the collaborative work that is coming out of Learning Ecosystems Northeast's Connected Learning Ecosystems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about essential elements of building supportive learning ecosystems. Local educator leaders will share stories of some of the collaborative and complementary work that is coming out of Learning Ecosystems Northeast's Connected Learning Ecosystems.

SPEAKERS:
Laurie Spooner (Van Buren District Secondary School), Diana Allen (Sanford Junior High School: Sanford, ME), Molly Auclair (Gulf of Maine Research Institute: Portland, ME)

Learn how all students benefit from inventing using U.S. Patent and Trademark Office free resources. Walk away with a classroom invention challenge focused on real-world problem-solving addressing science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts. Resources will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how invention education engages students in real-world problem solving and is a transdisciplinary approach to learning. They will gain an understanding that STEM does not exist in isolation and that collaboration and critical thinking become essential along with content.

SPEAKERS:
Reginald Duncan (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Alexandria, VA), Jorge Valdes (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Alexandria, VA), Kathy Hoppe (STEMisED, Inc: No City, No State)